Finance Manager

Salary : $148,338.00 - $180,475.00 Annually
Location : Carlsbad, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 09/21/2026
Closing Date: 10/12/2026 5:00 PM Pacific


The Position
The Finance Manager recruitment will remain open until October 12, 2026, at 5 p.m.,

or until 100 applications are received, whichever comes first.
The Position: The Finance Manager plans, organizes and manages the citywide budget process under direction of the Finance Director. This position coordinates the technical development of the city's annual operating budget, strategic digital transformation investment program, and capital improvement program, and produces a variety of materials, including fee-related documents, the mid-year budget report, and the annual budget carryforward report.

The Department: The Finance Department's mission is to ensure that the City of Carlsbad makes sound financial decisions by setting and implementing a strategic financial management plan. The department takes pride in accomplishing this mission by maintaining individual and departmental credibility; working as a team; and consistently striving to go above and beyond expectations.
Why Carlsbad?

In Carlsbad, you will find the many benefits of working for a city large enough to make a difference and small enough to get things done. Specifically, you will:

• Support the budget management of a full-service city, with over 1,200 employees who serve 115,000 residents, as well as a thriving business community that includes corporate headquarters for leading technology, life sciences, and action sports companies.
• Serve in a management role. Answer questions, offer advice, moderate discussions, provide training to staff, and assist in policy setting at the division and city level.
• Be part of a winning team that is considered a leader in municipal finance. We've repeatedly received the GFOA distinguished budget presentation and CSMFO operating budget excellence award.

What's more, in Carlsbad you will enjoy a culture focused on excellence that rewards managers with:

• Flexibility: You want to come in late to watch your kid get an award for being awesome? Flex time can make that possible. Enjoy three-day weekends? Optional 9/80 schedules provide every other Friday off and we offer the ability to telecommute. We understand the importance of flexibility and will work with you to balance life and a career in a way that benefits us both.
• Development Support: Thinking of getting that graduate degree? Done. Looking to develop your leadership abilities and work on stretch assignments? Done and done. We give you the opportunity to grow and develop because engaged successful employees make the city better too.
• Feedback: Want to know how you're doing? We'll tell you. Curious about your career options? Let's talk. The City of Carlsbad invests in our employees and places a high priority on ongoing feedback and coaching, so you can do your best work.

What does a typical day as Finance Manager Look like? Here are some of the things likely to fill your days:

• Drafting staff reports that communicate complex budget information in reader-friendly ways and making staff recommendations
• Overseeing the annual budget process and the preparation of the city's annual operating budget, strategic digital transformation investment program and capital improvement program
• Collaborating with other departments to review budget proposals in the city's annual budget
• Assisting with updating the 10-year financial forecast and generating other revenue estimates, expenditure budgets, and fund projections
• Networking with other managers and budget analysts throughout the city
• Chatting about development opportunities with your staff to help them advance their career
• Brainstorming ideas with the Finance Director on how to address changing budget and accessibility requirements
• Reviewing a cost of services study on water and wastewater rates, to determine its impact on the annual operating and capital improvement program budgets, mandatory fund reserve levels, and providing critical fiscal analysis input
• Watching webinars, attending conferences and participating in training on budget best practices
• Preparing and presenting a staff presentation to the City Council or other public budget workshop
• Listening to a department's budget request and collaborating ways to strengthen the business case
• Participating in union labor negotiations and costing various proposals, including impact on the city's 10-year financial forecast
• Overseeing the Implementation of new software systems and major upgrades as it pertains to budget development

You belong in Carlsbad:
The City of Carlsbad embraces and recognizes the vital relationship of an inclusive, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. An equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.
Key Responsibilities


Plans, supervises, and reviews the work of staff responsible for financial services or functional areas. Responsible for the supervision of direct reports.


Coordinates assigned operational services and activities within the city and outside agencies and organizations.


Participates in intermediate and long-range financial planning strategies, city goals and objectives.


Analyzes, identifies, and implements service delivery methods and procedures for improving operations, and internal controls.


Develops and implements new procedures to comply with changes in policy or new legislation.


Recommends, administers, and monitors assigned budgets, year-end requirements and applicable municipal codes.


Ensures research and response to public and employee inquiries and complaints relative to city policies and procedures within areas of responsibility.


Advises Finance Director on budgetary, financial, or other departmental matters.


Interprets, communicates, and presents technical issues related to the department's functions.


Prepares, audits, and supervises the distribution of all financial reports.


Ensures selection, training, motivation and general supervision of assigned finance staff.


Represents the Finance department and/or city at various professional events.


Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of administration, budgeting, and analysis.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance management.
• Modern and complex principles and practices of municipal finance and accounting.
• Automated financial management systems.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Government accounting principles and practices.
• Broad range of technical and non-technical knowledge of financial issues and specific area of responsibility.

Ability to:

• Learn and utilize automated financial information systems.
• Interpret and analyze implement financial information, goals and objectives, procedures, work standards and internal controls.
• Audit and analyze accounting systems and procedures to determine compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies.
• Make formal and informal presentations.
• Research technical resource information and data.
• Communicate and assimilate information consistent with the essential job function.
• Utilize independent reasoning to solve complex problems within broad policy guidelines and make sound decisions.
• Work irregular hours to meet deadlines and achieve objectives.
• Work and coordinate the work of others in a multi-task environment.
• Utilize office equipment.
• Integrate electronic system information.
• Implement essential functions of the position.

Experience & Education


Any combination equivalent to the education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical background would include:


A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, economics, public administration, business administration, or a closely related course of study, and three to five years of professional-level experience within a large accounting or finance department.


One to two years of supervisory experience within a large accounting or finance department.

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Retirement under the CalPERS program, 2% @ 62 formula, Classic Members (those who are enrolled in CalPERS at another local agency) have the 2% @ 60 formula
• Holidays- 11 scheduled
• Floating Holiday- 2
• Paid vacation
• Executive Leave
• Computer purchase loan
• Tuition reimbursement

A detailed list of our benefits can be found here:
Additional CalPERS information can be found here:
01


Do you have experience with managing budgets in financial systems?

• Yes
• No

02


If you answered "Yes" to Question #1, what financial software are you familiar with? If you answered "No", indicate n/a.
03


Do you have any experience with software implementations and/or upgrades?

• Yes
• No

04


If you answered "Yes" to Question #3, please describe. If you answered "No", indicate n/a.
05


Do you have experience with labor negotiations, including costing proposals and determining the budget impact on city budgets and forecast?

• Yes
• No

06


If you answered "Yes" to Question #5, please describe. If you answered "No", indicate n/a.
07


Please describe your experience managing projects, including any experience specifically related to managing budgets.
08


Please describe your experience with establishing fee updates and coordinating studies on costs of service.
09


Please describe your previous accounting/finance background including the type of work performed.
Required Question